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5 things to know about Timberwolves big man Gorgui Dieng

By Jake Paynting

SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Universidade Center on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA - OCTOBER 05: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Universidade Center on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – April 11: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is presented with the KIA Western Conference Rookie of the Month Trophy for March by Flip Saunders, President of Basketball Operations, and David Crockett, KIA District Sales Manager, prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on April 11, 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – April 11: Gorgui Dieng #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves is presented with the KIA Western Conference Rookie of the Month Trophy for March by Flip Saunders, President of Basketball Operations, and David Crockett, KIA District Sales Manager, prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on April 11, 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. He holds a rookie record for the Timberwolves

It isn’t an easy feat to post a rookie record for the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that has produced prodigious talents like Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love.

And when you think of those great names, it is even more amazing that Gorgui Dieng posted a rookie record that involves only points and rebounds: Dieng was the first Timberwolves player to post a 20-point, 20-rebound game as a rookie.

Per ESPN, the game cemented Gorgui Dieng as just the fourth rookie to record a 20-20 game since 1970.

It was while former Wolf Nikola Pekovic was still an actual NBA player, and his annual injury resulted in Dieng getting his huge chance, which, as you can see, he grabbed with both hands.

Dieng averaged over eight points and eight rebounds in that month, leading to the big man’s first ever NBA award: Rookie Of The Month for March of 2014.

It was this month that helped boost Dieng from a rookie who seemed to be tied to the bench, into a budding young NBA player who was making a splash in the league.

A game-winner was included in the crazy stretch for Dieng, too.

The 20-20 game from Dieng gave Wolves fans a taste of what Dieng had in his bag of tricks, and although hasn’t become a player who can put these numbers up consistently, his 20-20 game has propelled him to a successful career.

The Wolves fans have Karl-Anthony Towns to give them their 20-20 stat lines these days, but they will long remember the time that Gorgui Dieng burst on to the scene with one.

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